No,I’m referring to the kind of praying that finds you in a secluded spot alone with the God of this universe.The kind of praying where it’s just you and God and everything else takes a back seat.

I’m sure all of us have people in our lives whose names we bring before the Lord.Some of them are likely to be in serious need,perhaps with their back to the wall. Serious needs require serious prayer.

If you know someone like this(and I know several),I think we have an obligation to get alone with God and pray for them.

After all, it it were you or I,wouldn’t we hope that someone cared enough to get serious with the Lord on our behalf?

I’m tired of church done the way church is always done.Church that is predictable and boring,altogether unlike the King we serve.

Emotionless church.Dry,dead,going through the motions because this is what we do,lifeless church.

You know…church that is so structured and programmed that if the Holy Spirit didn’t show up for a month no one would even notice.

I’m tired of church cliques.You know the ones I’m referring to.The little groups who only speak to members of their own group or at best give a cursory acknowledgement that you actually do exist. I’m weary of the hypocrisy of it all.

I’m put off by people in church leadership positions who are not leaders but followers at best.I’m frankly disgusted by people who assume titles of authority or go through the procedures to get the framed diploma to hang on the wall,yet will not lift a finger to help someone in need or worse yet have enough of the love of Christ within them to offer up a simple word of encouragement to one who is struggling.

I miss the early years of ministry when I didn’t know any better than to simply trust God to do what His word said He would do.Back before I ever figured out that God’s church was divided into hundreds of groups all vying to be known as the “One True Church”,and all failing miserably.I miss the simplicity of following Christ and loving people.I miss the spirit of expectancy that came from not knowing what the Lord had in store during a particular service.

But mostly what I miss is intimacy with the Lord.

I may not be able to do a thing about everything else,but intimacy with God is something I have control over, and I sense Him calling me to draw closer.

It’s been a wonderful vacation here in sunny Florida but the time has come to head back home and resume a “normal”life…whatever that is!We will miss the beaches,the great seafood,the pool,and most of all the laid back and stress free existence we’ve enjoyed this past week.But alas,as someone once said:”all good things must come to an end”.Gee,I wish that phrase had never been uttered!

Of all the wonderful things to rejoice about over this past week the number one thing for me was to see and hear my wife smiling and laughing again.Those of you who follow this blog know that this past year has been one of extreme grief and stress for her due to losing her father last June.While at the beach today she acted like her old self,full of life and fun and for this I am humbly grateful to our Savior.

I realize how all too often we take the little things in life for granted,and my hope is that all of us come to cherish those things in life that are so important to us and endeavor to live life to its fullest each day.

To that still,small voice that was tugging at my heart.Let me explain.

Two years ago I was in Venice Florida and decided to take a walk on their brand new fishing pier.The previous pier had been destroyed by a hurricane so I was anxious to see the new pier that has recently been constructed.

While walking on the pier with my family we came upon a gentleman named Joe who was sitting on a bench handing out fossilized sharks teeth to all the passing children.I guess I should explain that Venice is known all around as the sharks tooth capital of the world.People come from all over to dig through the sand in hopes of finding a large one and once in a while a truly large specimen is uncovered.

I introduced myself to Joe and we made small talk as the kids wandered about the pier and I learned that he and his wife had recently moved from New York to Florida.I also learned that Joe had stage four cancer.

After a few more moments of chatting it was time for our family to eat lunch at the local beach front restaurant called Sharky’s,so I bid Joe good-by and walked inside to grab some lunch. All through lunch I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to ask Joe if all was well with his soul, yet I dismissed the notion by telling myself I would track him down after lunch.Which I never did.

Fast forward to today and I’m back on that same pier.What do you suppose I found?

A bench dedicated to Joe.In the same exact spot where I first met him.Joe was gone.There would be no second chance to speak with him about his soul.No second chance for me to obey that still small voice.For all intents and purposes,I had blown it by not obeying what I undoubtedly knew was the Lord prompting me to go to him.

Joe has hardly left my mind all day today.Of course I am saddened to learn of his passing and of course my heart is heavy for his family.But more important than all of that is what of Joe’s eternal soul?Did someone else step in to do what I failed to do?God only knows.All I know is that I cannot have a do-over in this matter.It is done for all of eternity.

Listen beloved,the whole point of this is for me to encourage you to act upon those gentle nudging’s of the Spirit.When God lays it upon your heart to do something,no matter how insignificant you may think it is,please do it.Don’t be like me and put it off thinking you will get around to it.

If you keep up with current world events at all you are likely aware that the ISIS(Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)are on the offensive in an attempt to gain control of the nation of Iraq.The ISIS method of achieving this is to make a surprise attack,inflict maximum casualties and spread fear before withdrawing without suffering heavy losses.Isis is highly fanatical, killing Shia Muslims and Christians whenever possible.

So you might ask what in the world does any of this have to do with me?Well as a Christian this interests me greatly because of the effect that ISIS is having on decimating the Christian population in Iraq,not to mention the mass slaughter of innocents who simply want to go about living their lives as peaceably as possible.

During the past 11 years nearly half of Iraq’s Christians have fled the country to escape frequent attacks by Muslim militants targeting them and their churches.In leaving,Christians are abandoning communities that date back to the first centuries of Christianity,including Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian churches.

So why is any of this important and what does it have to do with you? It’s important because the demise of Christianity we are witnessing in Iraq will no doubt eventually spread to all Middle Eastern countries.If you are a student of prophecy you will no doubt grasp the significance of this as it relates to the coming war for world domination.

The Christian church in Iraq is in serious trouble.Please join me in praying for these persecuted brothers and sisters,as well as the many thousands of innocent people in harms way.

I read an article on the Christian Post today that deals with Benny Hinn asking his supporters to start giving $1000 donations to his ministry so they will then be able to enter into a whole new dimension of “favor” with God.Supposedly this comes from Solomon’s offering of 1000 sacrifices to God.

How is it that “Christians”will actually believe this stuff?How in the world did the church become so ignorant of the Word of God that it would believe this is actually from God?

Doesn’t anyone actually read their Bible any more? If you do, can you please explain to me how the church is so easily duped into believing that the favor of God is actually something you can earn?Can anyone give chapter and verse for this?

WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN???

If you really want to do something for God,please take your $1000 donation and give it to a food bank or a shelter for abused women and children.How about buying groceries for a few families for a month?Or how about an anonymous gift to someone you know who is in dire need.Just do SOMETHING but give it to those who are fleecing the flock! Please!

Spent some time at the beach this morning.It doesn’t seem to matter that I’ve seen this same stretch of beach dozens of times,I always see something for the very first time.Like starfish for example.They were washing up on the beach for some reason and I’m assuming they will die there.

True to form though,my wife thinks she can save at least some of them so here she is scooping one up to toss it back into the ocean!

Looking at the things God has created and the incredible complexity of it all only increases my thirst to know Him more.I am amazed beyond words at what the hand of God has made,whether it be a sea creature or us in His very image.Sometimes i wonder:just what kind of power does He possess anyway that He could do such wondrous things?It’s way beyond my ability to comprehend so all I know to do is exercise my faith to believe that He is who He says He is!